For over an hour last week, Carson Woodland, a Realtor, switched roles to become a pawn broker and short-term loan shark. Woodland, alongside others from Helena’s Chamber of Commerce and Leadership Montana, participated in a reentry exercise led by Katie Weston, the warden of Montana Women’s Prison. The exercise simulated life post-incarceration, requiring participants to manage tasks like treatment and probation appointments, food purchases, and vocational rehab check-ins.
Woodland managed a pawn shop and loan table, where participants, equipped with biographies and limited “bus tickets,” struggled to make their meager funds last. As the exercise progressed, financial strains became apparent. Woodland noted the experience was eye-opening, likening it to a real-life game of Clue. He commented, “Living in privilege, you have absolutely no idea how it is.”
Many participants faced homelessness or jail, reflecting real-world recidivism rates of about one-third. Weston highlighted that formerly incarcerated people are ten times more likely to experience homelessness. She emphasized the need for public education on these challenges to encourage hiring of formerly incarcerated individuals. Weston remarked, “I like to do these things to try and educate the public.”
During the exercise, acquiring identification cards was crucial but time-consuming. Each simulated “week” lasted 20 minutes, with participants spending considerable time in line, planning essential tasks. Transportation issues were notable, particularly in Helena, which lacks extensive mass transit options. Sarah Roope of Leadership Helena noted the exercise increased understanding of these struggles.
Weston addressed misconceptions about returning citizens, such as assumptions about background awareness and trust issues from past negative experiences. Few completed the exercise fully, with a simulated “prison” reaching capacity. This highlighted a broader issue that Montana is addressing with a $700 million investment. Weston concluded, “If it’s this easy for individuals who are highly functioning to fail in a simulation, imagine what it’s like in reality.”
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